E-Paper
Sign In
The Ultimate Golf Challenge returns: Season 3 tees off at scenic Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Ten selected players from each team will seek to gain an early edge at one of the UAE’s most distinctive tests and the region’s first ocean-front design course
- PUBLISHED: Mon 2 Feb 2026, 7:58 PM
- By:
- Leslie Wilson Jr
- Share:
The countdown is over. The build-up has been impossible to ignore.
The time has finally arrived for Season 3 of the Ultimate Golf Challenge (UGC), the UAE’s premier corporate golf league, set to unfold on Thursday, February 5, at the stunning Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi.
Recommended For You
After months of preparation and squad-building, ten elite teams are ready to do battle. Each comes armed with a unique game plan, a well-chosenlineup, and a determination to claim glory.
From Tristar Gladiators, the inaugural champions, to defending Noble Legacy Masters, and a competitive chasing pack featuring The A Team, Alpha Ninjas, Brain Dubai, Mayfair Chippies, Meteora Magicians, Shershaah Eagles, Sultans of Swing, and Three Comma Masters, the season promises a wide-open contest.
The action takes place across four iconic UAE courses - Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi; Jumeirah Golf Estates’s Earth Course, Dubai; Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club; and the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club.
These teams will be tested by the distinct demands of each iconic venue, competing in formats that reward individual skill while placing equal emphasis on collective execution. From the coastal winds of Saadiyat to the intricate layouts of the Faldo Course, no two rounds will ask the same questions of the players.
“This season feels different,” says UGC Commissioner Kunal Seth, capturing the electric energy that surrounds the league. “The level of preparation, the team strategies, and the commitment from players are unlike anything we’ve seen before. Every team is coming to win, and every round will count.”
New strategies, fresh faces
Preparation for the course has been just as intense as it promises to be. Teams have built rosters with careful attention to handicaps, experience, and compatibility, ensuring they can adapt to the unique formats of the new season.
For the reigning Noble Legacy Masters, defending the crown is a challenge they embrace. As co-owner Achal Ghai emphasises, team chemistry is paramount. “Last season showed that belief and trust make the difference. This year, we’re stronger, hungrier, and more united than ever.”
The A Team, narrowly beaten in Season 2, has welcomed several fresh faces this season, blending youth and experience under the guidance of mentors and team owners Aman and Ayesha Chopra. Their mantra: “Look the best, play the best, and party the best,’ is a philosophy that drives not only performance but camaraderie - a hallmark of the UGC experience.
Across the league, teams have refined their strategies, analysed the formats, and meticulously planned their ten-player pairings for the opening round at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, where every point could shape the early leaderboard. With Stableford scoring in play, preparation and adaptability are likely to prove decisive.
In addition, the coastal setting brings shifting winds that test club selection and strategy, while well-placed bunkers and natural hazards reward precision. The course’s design also supports local wildlife, with gazelles on the fairways and dolphins in the Gulf, adding a unique character to each round.
Margins will decide champion
With over 350 rounds of golf to be played across four intense rounds between now and the finale on May 7, UGC Season 3 promises thrills, clutch performances, and breathtaking moments. Small margins are likely to decide outcomes, with team decisions and individual execution playing a decisive role throughout the season.
As the first tee awaits at Saadiyat, located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, one thing is certain: Season 3 of the Ultimate Golf Challenge is set to deliver another unforgettable competition, celebrating a game that continues to grow in popularity across the UAE.
The Ultimate Golf Challenge (UGC) is organised and managed by Action Creative Communications FZ LLC, a Dubai‑based sports and events management company.
Tournament Format & Rules:
• Round 1 @ Saadiyat: 5th February 2026
Teams will nominate two sub-teams of five players each. The four best Stableford scores from each sub-team will count toward the team total, with the cumulative score determining the Day 1 leaderboard.
The 10 Competing Teams:
Alpha Ninjas
Brain Dubai
Mayfair Chippies
Meteora Magicians
Noble Legacy Masters
Shershaah Eagles
Sultans of Swing
The A Team
Three Comma Masters
Tristar Gladiators
Season 3 Schedule:
Round 1: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi – Sub-team Stableford, Feb 5, 2026
Round 2: Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth Course, Dubai – Matchplay, Feb 26, 2026
Round 3: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club – Best-ball Stableford, Apr 2, 2026
Round 4: Emirates Golf Club – Faldo Course, Dubai – Individual Stableford, May 7, 2026